The first day of lessons in the castle proved to have mixed results, both for Penny and her teachers.
In Defence Against the Dark Arts she could hardly believe her eyes as Professor Lockhart practically minced around the classroom. Glancing to her left where Ginny sat next to her, she tried to catch her eye to exchange a look of disgust. Much to her bemusement Ginny seemed to be watching Lockhart with a sickeningly dreamy expression. Rolling her bluey-green eyes to the ceiling Penny let out a sigh. Lockhart was currently outlining his many said achievements, such as Five Times Winner of the Most Charming Smile.
'But I don't talk about that' he said managing somehow to show all his white teeth at once 'I didn't make the Banshee run away by smiling at her'
'Oh I don't know sir' Penny chipped in before she could stop herself 'I reckon that would have been pretty effective' She heard Ginny gasp beside her and the boys on the row behind stifling sniggers. Lockhart looked as if someone had slapped him before he resumed his composure.
'And your name is?' He asked his teeth resembling more of a grimace than a smile.
'Penny Black'
'Well Miss Black, you can decide on the most effective way to be rid of a Banshee, when you have fought of evil as many times as I have, for full details see my published works' he finished, twirling on the spot to walk back up the classroom. As he reached the desk he pulled out an elaborate feather quill and wrote a short note. 'I think you need to appreciate just who you are dealing with' Lockhart continued, passing Penny the note 'So you can help me answer my fan mail in detention this Friday evening' he finished beaming down at her. Penny could do nothing but stare up at him in dismay.
In Transfiguration Professor McGonagall had practically ignored her the whole lesson, which confused Penny slightly, unsure what she had done to upset the tall witch. After trawling through some diagrams Penny watched in amusement as so many of her classmates appeared to not understand what she thought were quite obvious and logical points. Even McGonagall looked impressed against her will when Penny's match quickly took on the shape of a sewing needle.
'Five points to Slytherin' said McGonagall rather reluctantly after she had examined the needle closely, as if determined to find a fault. Meeting the taller witch's eyes Penny was surprised to find she could no longer pick up any emotion from the woman.
Her third lesson of the day was with the dark Professor she had seen the previous evening. Professor Snape had paused at her name on the register before continuing as if nothing had occurred. He strode eerily around the classroom as they started on the simple Cure for Boils potion. Penny felt his eyes on her face but ignored her growing annoyance at his stare. Once they had completed the potion, he went from cauldron to cauldron, turning his nose up at the pitiful results. When he reached Penny's cauldron he peered intently into the cauldron, before using his wand to swirl the contents. He raised his unnaturally dark eyes to Penny's blue ones, which were narrowed suspiciously at him. A long second pasted as the pair of them attempted to out stare each other. Finally the corner of Snape's mouth twitched in a hint of a smile before he spoke.
'Well, well Miss Black' He said, a smirk now forming on his lips, as if highly amused by something. When he didn't continue Penny spoke.
'YES…' She asked inquisitively 'Sir' she added in a reluctant voice.
'You have managed to brew a perfect potion. Ten points to Slytherin.' He finished before turning his back on her. She stared at his back in puzzlement, what the hell was he so amused about?
Her last lesson of the day turned out to be her worse. She had not been looking forward to it when she first read the Flying Lessons were compulsory for first years. Ginny was with her in this lesson as well as Defence against the Dark Arts but didn't seem to understand Penny's apprehension.
'Its fine, all my brothers can fly easily, it'll be a laugh' Ginny reassured her confidently.
'If we were meant to fly we would have wings' Penny said back through gritted teeth 'I don't see why we need to learn, it's not exactly useful' she whispered as Madam Hooch strode briskly past them. Her fears were confirmed as the lesson progressed it became clear that Penny was hopeless at flying.
'Don't cling onto it like that Miss Black, leaning forward makes you tilt downwards' Madam Hooch said for the hundredth time as Penny clung desperately to her broom hovering a foot above the ground. 'Sit with your back straight and look ahead'
Penny remained close to the ground as Ginny soared confidently above her.
After her final lesson Penny made her way to the library to get some books for her assignments. Turning into library Penny stared into the endless rows of books fixated. Walking slowly forward Penny spotted a familiar bush of hair buried in a massive volume. Smiling, Penny walked over and sat on the opposite side of the table. After a couple of seconds Hermione seemed to notice she was being observed and a pair of light brown eyes appeared over the book. A little 'oh' sound was heard before she lowered her book onto the table.
'Hello stranger' said Penny brightly
'Oh, hello Penny' Hermione said a faint smile appearing on her lips. Penny watched as a nervous flicker crossed the older girl's face. Penny arched an eyebrow in amusement.
'What?' She asked 'Is it against some code to talk to a Slytherin? Am I spontaneously going to sprout snakes from my fingers?' She said teasingly, wiggling her fingers at Hermione.
'No, no' Hermione laughed, visibly relaxing. After a pause she asked 'So what brings you here?'
'Well you know, thought I'd play a game of Quidditch between the bookcases' Penny said sarcastically rolling her eyes. 'I have some assignments, got any recommended reads?' She enquired, amused as Hermione seemed to come to life, chattering quickly about which books she liked, the word 'fascinating' appearing frequently. Hermione quickly ran off and returned with roughly five thick volumes that she placed on the table in front of Penny. Hermione quickly listed off the titles of the books, their authors and the most useful bits before returning to her own book. Penny stared at the thick volume in Hermione's hands in bemusement before lifting the first of the books towards her and started reading.
About ten minutes later Hermione lowered her book to check on Penny, her eyes widening. Penny seemed to have read through nearly a quarter of the book. Hermione watched in fascination as Penny appeared to skimming the page before moving onto the next. Frowning Hermione felt annoyed her precious books were not getting the respect they deserved.
'What's the point of reading that if you are not going to read it properly?' Challenged Hermione angrily. Penny looked up from the volume in front of her, confusion on her face.
'I am reading it properly' she said defensively. Hermione scoffed sceptically.
'Then I am sure you can tell me what the use of the Alihotsy tree?' Hermione quizzed her.
'The leaves of the Alihotsy tree, also known as the Hyena tree, should never be eaten, as doing so will cause the consumer to have fits of uncontrollable laughter' Penny quoted immediately. Hermione stared open mouthed at Penny who was pouting sulkily, clearly offended by the accusation.
'Penny….do you have…Photographic memory?' Ask Hermione slowly, intrigued. She had heard of such a thing, but couldn't image how it was possible.
'I think so' said Penny, so quiet it was barely a whisper. Hermione leaned in closer to catch the rest of it 'I've never forgotten anything since….' Penny trailed off, emotions flicking rapidly across her face. Hermione's forehead creased in puzzlement as she watched the younger girl's face recover its impassive expression. 'What of it?'
'Nothings, it's just amazing' Hermione gushed smiling widely at the black haired girl, who blinked briefly before smiling back. They spent a while talking about the various lessons, reaching the finer points of Transfiguration when two boys came wondering over. Penny recognized the shorter one immediately, his bright green eyes sparkling behind his glasses. The other boy rounded the table to Hermione quickly.
'Come on Hermione, you've been in here hours, it's only the first day!' He grumbled, his red hair moving as he shook his head. Penny turned to look at his friend who looked down at her, smiling kindly.
'Hi' he said politely stretching out his hand 'I'm..'
'Harry Potter' Penny interrupted, taking his hand 'I know. I'm Penny Black. You must be Ginny's brother' Penny said addressing the other boy, her eyes glancing at the bright hair 'Are you all ginger?' She asked causing the red head to frown, the tips of his ears flushing red.
'Yes Penny' Hermione injected quickly glancing nervously at the ginger boy who was glaring at Penny, who meet his glare unyielding. 'This is Ron, he is the sixth son of the Weasley family.'
'So you know Ginny?' Asked Harry as Penny turned her back on Ron to face him.
'Yes' she answered, a hint of amusement on her face 'She talks about you often' she went on a smile spreading across her face as Harry looked away uncomfortably.
'So when are we going to go and see Hagrid?' Hermione asked Harry.
'How about Friday night?' Harry suggested. Hermione looked at Penny before speaking.
'You could come too, if you fancied being introduced properly to him. He is a good friend of ours' Hermione said. Penny suddenly looked extremely sheepish, fidgeting slightly 'What?' Ask Hermione.
'I can't do Friday evening.' Stated Penny, suddenly taking an intense interest in the worn corner of the book she had been reading.
'Why not?' Hermione asked suspiciously.
'Erm…I have detention with Lockhart' Penny said, her face flushing slightly under Hermione's disgraced face.
'WHAT? WHY?' She said, virtually shrieking.
'Erm' Penny said again looking desperately about her 'He may have been saying he didn't scare the Banshee away with his smile, I may have suggested that would work pretty well' Both boys roared with laughter as Hermione simply gaped in indignation.
After a lot of tutting and 'How could yous' from Hermione, the three older students descended into general talk. Penny watched the three of them chat away, looking from face to face.
'It must be nice' she thought sadly 'To have such friends.'